140 The Spiritual Man
Words of ExhortationIf we allow the Spirit of God to do a deeper work by the cross our
circumcision will become increasingly real. “We are the true
circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and glory in Christ Jesus,
and put no confidence in the flesh” (Phil. 3.3). That confidence in the
flesh is relinquished through the circumcision performed without
hands. The Apostle makes glorying in Christ Jesus the center of
everything. He explains to us that there is danger on the one side yet
security on the other. Putting confidence in the flesh tends to destroy
glorying in Christ Jesus, but worship in spirit gives us the blessed joy
of life and truth. The Holy Spirit uplifts the Lord Jesus but humbles
the flesh. If we genuinely desire to glory in Christ and to let Him
secure glory in us, we must receive the circumcision of the cross and
learn to worship in the Holy Spirit. Do not be impatient for
impatience is of the flesh. Do not try different methods because they
are useful solely in helping the flesh. We must distrust the flesh
entirely, however good or able it may be. We should trust instead the
Holy Spirit and submit to Him alone. With such trust and obedience
the flesh will be humbly kept in its proper place of curse and
accordingly lose all its power. May God be gracious to us that we
may put no confidence in the flesh—yea, that we may look down
upon ourselves and acknowledge how unreliable and utterly fruitless
is our flesh. This is a very real death. Without it there can be no life.
“Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh” (Gal.
5.13). We have obtained freedom in the Lord; let us not therefore
give any opportunity to the flesh, for its rightful place is death. Do
not unconsciously construe the activity of the Holy Spirit to be your
own, but forever be on guard lest the flesh should be revived. Do not
usurp the glory of His triumph and thereby afford the flesh a chance
to resume operation. Do not grow overconfident following a few
victories; if so, your fall cannot be far away. When you have learned
how to overcome and the flesh has long lost its power, never imagine
that thereafter you are altogether triumphant over it. Should you not